Mel's Alleged Mistress: I Have Text Messages

Mel's Alleged Mistress:

I Have Text Messages

8/15/2010 10:30 PM PDT BY TMZ STAFF

The woman who claims to have been Mel Gibson's mistress at the time of the now-famous January 6 blowout says she was badgered by Mel's bodyguard to keep her mouth shut ... this according to sources who have been in touch with the woman.

Sources say Violet Kowal claims she was communicating with Mel on January 6 about his blowup with Oksana Grigorieva.

In the days following -- January 7, 8 and 9 -- Violet Kowal claims she was contacted by one of Mel's bodyguards. We're told Kowal says the bodyguard sent text messages, warning her that she couldn't talk about the incident and that she should "disappear" for a price.

And sources say Kowal -- who is now repped by Gloria Allred -- has phone records and text messages.

Sources also say ... Kowal claims to have an email she received recently from the L.A. County Department of Children and Family Services, the Sensitive Case Unit, informing her they wanted to speak with her. So far, we're told, Kowal has not met with anyone from DCFS.